As world marks Anti-Corruption day, TIZ says no visible and tangible action by PF

December 9, 2012

Here, vote for us and build a clinic

Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) is disappointed with the manner in which the Patriotic Front (PF) government is fighting corruption in the country.

Today, Zambia is commemorating the World Anti-Corruption Day.

But in the past week, the PF government, President Michael Sata and Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba have been undermining the efforts of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Initially, Kabimba – the PF General Secretary – appeared for interrogation at the ACC and bussed cadres to hear him being interviewed to which the ACC refused then turned him back.

Later, President Sata directed the ACC not to be embarrassing his ministers in public, a statement that has irked civil society and some of PF’s trusted sympathizers.

Reviewing the government performance in the fight against corruption since it assumed power, TIZ executive director Goodwell Lungu said there is a sharp contradiction between the pronouncements made by President Sata and his action.

“The PF government’s one year in office has established a sense of political will from the head of state in the fight against corruption which has unfortunately fallen short of the required tangible responsive and corresponding action.

“The PF government will lose the people’s confidence if it spends the next year dealing with the baggage of the past and not on creating hope and opportunities for the future for the people of this country,” Lungu said.

Lungu said government should be consultative and that the cabinet should recognize that in a democracy, the views of the people matter to avoid assuming the know-it-all attitude.

He said his organization is concerned that the fight against corruption has not been translated into appropriate, visible and tangible action by the public service and law enforcement agencies that seem to be going on a business as- usual approach.

He said although they credited government with the re-introduction of the Abuse of Office Clause in the Anti-Corruption Act, the exhibited political will and commitment has not been marched with the much-needed comprehensive action plans.

“TIZ noted during the year that President Sata stated that he was allergic to corruption but his allergy was sharply contradicted by his own attempt to appoint among others Mr. Xavier Chungu the former intelligence chief who is facing serious allegations of corruption before the courts of law and has even been convicted of a criminal offence,” he noted.

Lungu further observed that the PF government’s decision to establish Commissions of Inquiries to investigate alleged misconduct and malpractices against the previous regime has turned out to be a waste of tax payers’ money.

He said since these Commissions were concluded and their reports submitted, there has been lack of progress and action on the numerous recommendations.

He was concerned that government has not acted with the same speed and zeal to recommendations of Commissions of Inquiry such as the ZRA Commission of Inquiry, the Oil Procurement Commission of Inquiry and the NAPSA Land Commission of inquiry.

“It is TIZ’s assessment, so far, that these Commissions were more of a waste of tax payer’s money unless the PF government demonstrates timely, visible and tangible action on its recommendations.”

Lungu also observed that the PF government promised the Zambian people to be given a people driven Constitution within 90 days of its assuming office.

He said to-date, it is now way beyond the said 90 days, and this promise has already fallen far short although the Constitutional Technical Committee has produced a good draft Constitution. “We are however worried as TIZ that no clear road map has been provided and committed to by the current government. On this note, we feel that President Sata missed a great opportunity during the 2012 official opening of Parliament speech to guarantee a time frame when the referendum will be held. He instead opted to remain silent on this important issue. We recommend that the government should commit itself to having a referendum and a people driven constitution before the end of 2013 and provide clear budgets for such in the 2013 budgets.”

On the Auditor General’s reports, Lungu is worried that not even a single public statement has been issued by any of the law enforcement agencies on what action has been taken on the massive misappropriation of public funds reported.

He said this creates a serious and worrying sign that things have not changed in this area. Lungu further said public procurements under the PF government have continued to be opaque instead of transparent.

He said the PF government’s handling of procurement processes does not seem any different with past regimes which were influenced by partisan political interests.

He said there has been lack of full disclosures on how the decisions have been made in public procurements to attract public confidence.

Lungu also expressed concern at government’s delay in launching and enacting the Access to Information Bill as it is an important tool that can help Zambians access information and hold the public service and leadership accountable.

He warned that if government fails to enact the Bill by January 2013 as promised, TIZ will launch a vicious campaign of vigorous condemnation.

Lungu urged the PF government to comply with strict adherence to the approved national budget and that the rate at which ministries were being created in the first one year and the unjustified appointments of so many deputy ministers was worrying.

“We want to see stability and continuity– government has to build on what was working well in the previous regime,” said Lungu.

Zambian politics ar politics of the stomach look at “fr bwalya”were is he?his stomach is full & he is quiet as a zesco body chairman.i wanda about me a pf cadre.all i see is KCM & MOPANI av instructed contractors 2 layoff its workers by 50% 2meet its requiments of a minimum weg,2 sad 4 us youths mr president.2say the trueth wat av seein in pf 9odays is de creation of districts,de rebranding of airpots names,wat next is 2rebrand inter city bus station 2kabimba or gbm inter bus station.to some up your H.E.P go back 2 de drawing board come up with concrete solutions as u used 2be wen u were in opostion.let thoz 2pipo around you not 2 blackmail u.my advice work with pipo like kambwili & if u have time visit his constituence 2my opinion is second 2 non in PF.de man is a live wire who need an insulator among zambian youths.moreover i dont stay in his constituency(roan).bt wit pipo lik him we can move dis country forwad.luk at his vision4 sports & zns plan those ar plans which wil lift the morales of the party,zambian youths & de development of the country.so if opposition MPS,leaders & priest who can provide check & balances 2 the gvt ar doing politics of the “stomach”.what about me a pf cadre?1zambia1nation

Wanzelu December 9, 2012 at 19:56

Fellow Zambians, I have just realised that the true meaning of “DONCHI KUBEBA”-PF campaign moto is BE SILENT, DON’T TELL when you see any PF cadre committing an offence. The Kabimba and GBM saga are true testimonies to the way PF is using DONCHI KUBEBA moto.

Sata even cautioned DEC , ZP and ACC to DONCHI KUBEBA when its one of his cabinet members involved in a crime.

If you see PF cadres stealing, DONCHI KUBEBA.
If you see PF cadres committing money laundering,DONCHI KUBEBA.
If you see PF cadres committing corruption,DONCHI KUBEBA.
If you see PF cadres abusing office powers, DONCHI KUBEBA.

You can add some more if you wish.

Dnnis Kusinyala December 9, 2012 at 14:01

The only way Zambia will be saved is by either SATA dying soon or Army takes over and sorts us out for 10 years to end the dosile behaviour is us. We are a very stupid population.

Shamboking us is the answer to ignite sanity in our mindset.

Lwalwa December 9, 2012 at 13:40

Track record! Track record! Track record!

Sata has always been corrupt, how did people believe he can suddenly start fighting corruption?

kwatu December 9, 2012 at 13:00

Monkey democracy I call it. Its only monkeys that have such traits. Has anyone watched the documentary on National Geography”the monkeys of Jaipho”, in India. Honestly speaking how can u go and ask for permison from the presido to investigate investigate a corrupt minister. Shame on us, this is the change we wanted. Anyway I don’t put my faith in humans. And knowing Zambians the way we are. It shall take another 1,000 years before we learn how to demonstrate againist wrong things. I pity my grandchildren.

Dnnis Kusinyala December 9, 2012 at 13:59

Military Government is needed. Where are the soldiers? Sleeping?

rule of law December 9, 2012 at 12:49

PF cant fight corruption as it is a product of corruption

con December 9, 2012 at 12:31

Being the head of state is not an easy job,there is no proper sleeping time hard lucky Mr President.

Pungwa December 9, 2012 at 12:03

Ba mamambala balalaba when they assume office. Fate of UNIP and MMD is certainly coming to PF. Power has robbed the pack of all wisdom and common sense. Unexpected comfort has blown away lessons of history.

Cocktail December 9, 2012 at 11:18

Thats what happens when you vote for a hungry man like the PF

Limnothrissa December 9, 2012 at 11:11

Goodwell Lungu said

“there is a sharp contradiction between the pronouncements made by President Sata and his action.”

That’s the end of George Lungu. Sure he will be vilified as an RB ally after this. Cabinet ? What Cabinet ? Hear our President does not believe in Cabinet meetings. Think TIZ should have taken him up on this as well. If he has suspended the functions of Cabinet, what then is the point of having Cabinet Ministers ? What indeed is the point of having a Government since the Secretary to the Cabinet operates through the framework of decisions taken by Cabinet to run the Civil Service ? People of Zambia, we have a real choice clown for our President. I too am hearing these increasing noises from large sections of the Bemba community.

concernedcitizen December 9, 2012 at 10:29

Let Sata define Corruption , i think it has changed meaning from the time he was in Opposition.

concernedcitizen December 9, 2012 at 10:28

Sata was outspoken and instrumental in the fight against corruption the time he was in opposition, he cried in the wilderness night and day of corruption, he was ACC, DEC ,LAWYER, JURY and JUDGE and his assistant was the POST but now what has happened?
How come no one has been arrested in MMD a year on?
Does it mean corruption is only in Opposition because you not benefiting?
Does it mean corruption is part and parcel of Government.

The only solid conclusion i can come up with is that Sata a liar, he laid about corruption in MMD.
His been lying for the last 10 years.

But the good thing is his lies have finally caught up with him, desperately trying to fight the inevitable his now introducing the worst of UNIP and MMD tactics but it is to no avail.

Sata’s ultimate outcome is set and we all know it DOOM.

musonda December 9, 2012 at 10:19

There is serious need for govt to provide direction and abide by the rule of law.

Jimbo December 9, 2012 at 10:11

PF is a group of usless chaps, I regreat voting for them. Chipimo, HH can u both up ur game now is the time for u to start making points. We need to give these PF chaps a red card in 2016, its like they don’t learn from history and wat happened to MMD. I think power has gotten to their head and they have fogotten who their Masters are.

no vision and pipo will perish if no agent measures are taken.watch the space.

taliban December 9, 2012 at 09:03

one day you will be out pf..!useless govt so far!!!!

w.kabimba December 9, 2012 at 08:59

That is good observation TIZ keep it up

Teine December 9, 2012 at 08:54

Not to forget Kapoko will soon walk to freedom. Retirement house and salary increaments for himself. There is a general decline in citizens living standards , ZESCO POwer Failures, rampant nepotism. The list of ills is endless.